Oilers and Gagner working on extension: [UPD: Elected Arbitration]

Oilers can still sign Gagner before the arbitration meeting. Otherwise Gagner is a UFA next summer. His agent has played this well IMO.

Should be noted that this is exactly why a smart agent would not allow his RFA client to sign until right before arbitration. Maximum leverage is going to be right before the arbitration date (Oilers will need to put forth their best offer to sign him or risk losing him in a year), if Gagner signs long-term that will be when he does so.

You would be mistaken. Grabbo has a higher offensive upside and has demonstrated superior two-way play. He'd be a marked improvement on 89 (and I say that as a big Gags fan). If Gagner is asking for $5M+, they'd be better off spending that coin on Grabovski.

You would be mistaken. Grabbo has a higher offensive upside and has demonstrated superior two-way play. He'd be a marked improvement on 89 (and I say that as a big Gags fan). If Gagner is asking for $5M+, they'd be better off spending that coin on Grabovski.

Arbitration contracts I think can't take a player past UFA. So in Gagners case, 1 year deal is the max.

An arbitration contract could either be great for Gags or be terrible. If he has a regressive year the only thing working in his favor for his next contract will be who's available as a potential top 6 C next year. If he has a good year he will definitely cash in on the open market.

You are correct. Only a one-year contract because he is a year away from being a UFA.

With the David Perron trade today. It's become clear that we have to get a bigger 2nd line center than Gagner. I think we've seen the last of Samwise as an Oiler.

disagree listening to all Mac T interviews today sounds almost like a sure bet Gagner is back, will sign just before arbitration. This spells the end for Hemsky for sure, but that was pretty well already decided.

Sign the one year deal, dump Hemsky, sign/acquire tweener 2C/3C, play tweener at 2C, use Gagner in the top 6 when injury arises at LW or C. Gagner's natural production is 40 points per year, that's 4M, if he wants to make it here, great, if not, trade deadline bait for a 2014 first rounder.

Sign the one year deal, dump Hemsky, sign/acquire tweener 2C/3C, play tweener at 2C, use Gagner in the top 6 when injury arises at LW or C. Gagner's natural production is 40 points per year, that's 4M, if he wants to make it here, great, if not, trade deadline bait for a 2014 first rounder.

I think Gagner is much more than a 40 point player. His pace was great this year and I still think he's improving. The guys only 23 years old and he's got heart. That being said, he's not an exact perfect fit for our team. If we can add a bit of size in our bottom six I can live with him still being on the team though, he's an Oiler through and through. Despite agreeing that he's not the best fit at this point, I still think he's a great player.